(201) Magazine Blogs

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Woody: Tebow not brought in to sell PSLs

Jets’ owner Woody Johnson spoke to reporters today. He defended the decision to trade for backup quarterback Tim Tebow, indicating it was a football move and not a business move. He also continued his previously stated policy of not discussing the job status of his employees in season, so he didn’t comment on the futures of coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum.
“The record says what’s going on,” Johnson told reporters. “I didn’t sign up for a 3-6 season. We haven’t had one of these in a while. I’m not happy about it, yet I am optimistic.”
Johnson bristled when asked about the perception that Tebow was acquired to sell tickets.
He indicated it wasn’t only his idea to bring in Tebow, and added that it’s a “phony story of me being more concerned with PSLs or cash or something else. ... My job 1, 2 and 3 is to win games. ... It’s not to sell PSLs or anything else.”
He also was unhappy with a published report in which unnamed players and team officials ripped Tebow.
“Let me tell you something about anonymous guys,” Johnson said, “Anonymous guys have no credibility. Anonymous people don’t speak for the New York Jets.”
As for starting quarterback Mark Sanchez, although Johnson said he would be evaluated like any other player, he added, “he’s our franchise quarterback.”

About

J.P. PELZMAN joined The Record in April 1998. He began his career at the Ocean County Observer in Toms River, where he spent one year before leaving for Newsday on Long Island. At The Record, he was the primary backup on the New York Jets’ beat for nine seasons, from 1998-2006, before becoming the beat writer in 2007. Pelzman also has been The Record’s beat writer for Seton Hall men’s basketball since the 2002-03 season.